It was the ConCourt who went public with the complaint (not the JSC). The JSC is acting on the CC’s complaint, the facts of which are not disputed (Hlophe JP arguing that, it appears, since discussions about cases with other judges is normal, nothing can be read into his behaviour).

Hlophe JP’s counter-complaint against the ConCourt is in respect of an alleged infringement of his rights (press release) which trumps the CC’s desire to protect its reputation. Hlophe has also launched complaints against the JSC relating to his whole “sick note” debacle and accused the JSC of bias.

Further, involving the Minister of Justice in this even further infringes on the separation of powers. We have a CONSTITUTIONAL democracy. The parliament is not sovereign and not everyone answers to the government of the day. I doubt most people are even aware of the counter-balancing roles that the executive and legislature are supposed to play in SA anymore.

I listen to the experts and read the facts.
You explain to me how “priviledge” can apply to 34 unopened boxes of Shabir Shaik’s records found in the office of Zuma’s attorney (who was NOT Shaiks attorney and which boxes had not even been opened) ?

Justin

I listened to Judge Willis being interviewed. He said he disagreed with the other judges and the rationale thst they wanted to avoid an appeal. I also read Sarjeant at the Bar who says there could be an appeal? So I am getting confused. How can I find the Judgement on Google to read for myself?

Western-styled justice systems can never fit with Africa’s culture of rule by dictatorial tribal chieftains. Get used to it. We don’t really need you lawyers and judges … except as window-dressing for the IMF and billion dollar aid organisations.

Many commentators will draw similarities between the tactics used by Hlophe and Pres Zuma in their legal wranglings – ie avoid dealing with the core issue – are you guilty of the charges laid against you – yes or no?
Judge Hlope either tried to improperly influence the three Judges or he did not.
If he spoke in riddles or idioms then the possibility exists that his words were misinterpreted – even by all three Judges.
I imagine the key issue was what was the intent of his discussions?

Traps – you says that “President Zuma in his legal battles was concerned with a bitter factional war within the ANC.”.
Surely he was concerned with defending criminal charges that were laid against him by the state – most of the evidence against him had been tested and accepted in the Shaik trial – and upheld on appeal.

The “bitter factional war” was surely the selective use of whom the state gets to prosecute for their part in the arms deal – what about the late Joe Modise, Thabo Mbeki,Terror Lekota et al?
I agree with the ANC that the Judges are not gods – political leaders throughout history have loaded the judiciary with “left leaning” or “right leaning’ judges to suit their political ends.

Phillipa – Tony Leon is a qualified lawyer – do some research, dear!

Bongo – Hlophe is using TAXPAYERS money not his own!

Your skills in self-humiliation are visible to everyone else but Phillipa Lipinsky.

Perhaps the learned judge was incorrect when he claimed never to have missed a professional appointment as it appears he quite clearly missed the one when conduct in conflict with the constitution was discussed.

Be that as it may the irony cannot be lost of two Judges on different sides of the legal divide arguing about constitutional conduct. Surely the Judge fighting on the side of the Bill of Rights deserves our support. Herein lies the difficulty of the ANC which is forced as government to live alongside a Judiciary wherein some appear to refuse to accept the spirit of the supreme
law and therefore our rule of law. A lot like power sharing with Mr Mugabe.

On what basis do you decide that Tony Leon “needs to stop poking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”
How would you you like it if I told you that your “nose does not belong in this debate” and asked you to keep your opinions to yourself. You would quite rightly think that I was being ridiculous. South Africans have the right to express their views on matters of national interest. It is called being part of an effective democracy.

Another thing, some time ago you dished out accusations of xenophobia but simply refused to explain yourself when challenged. Now you accuse Leon of being a negrophobe. You will no doubt ignore me again, but would you care to tell us all on what basis you accuse Mr Leon of being a negrophobe.

And how would the ANC have got control of the country without a negotiated settlement,including deals re generals and politicians?

Not with an “armed struggle” – that is for sure!

This “armed struggle” myth is becoming a bore. The ragged bunch of MK sat around camps spying on each other and never fought a single battle.

And they seem to have spent the last 15 years still spying on each other!

You fantasise of being a judge. The guilt and innocence of an accused can only be decided in a court of law. Your opinion has no bearing whatsoever on such a decision. Calm down, you’re moving like an out-of-control train leaving chaos in its path to nowhere. You seem to have an opinion on anything. Frankly, most of your opinions are baseless, uninformed and simply ridiculous.